Of note: BYU is coming to East Hartford for the first time and playing UConn for the first time. UConn goes to Provo for the first time to the play the Cougars on Halloween night next year. ... BYU is one of two independents the Huskies will face this year. They will also play Army at Yankee Stadium in November. ... BYU has won a national championship (1984) and has won at least eight games in all but two years in the past decade. UConn coach Bob Diaco, as Notre Dame defensive coordinator last season, and defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter and co-defensive coordinator Vincent Brown, both at Virginia last season, faced the Cougars and won in 2013. Notre Dame beat BYU 23-13 in South Bend, and the Cougars opened the season in Charlottesville amid a wicked rainstorm that delayed the game for two hours. Virginia won, 19-16. The Cougars traveled across the country the day before that one and might have felt the effects in their legs. ... BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall didn't leave it to chance this time. BYU left for Connecticut on Wednesday. ... There are no Utah natives on the UConn roster and no Connecticut natives on BYU's roster.

Five Things To Know

1. UConn senior wide receiver Geremy Davis has a chance to become the first receiver at the school to register back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. If Davis becomes what Diaco thinks he will become, one of the best receivers in the nation, then he'll reach the mark. Davis has said he is focused on helping the Huskies win and get to a bowl game, something he hasn't experienced. One of four captains, Davis also has said he wants to elevate the unit to be strong even after he's gone. The lights are set to come on. With all the talk and attention surrounding him, how will he respond?

2. Redshirt sophomore Casey Cochran will start at quarterback. Senior Chandler Whitmer also will play. Diaco has said a 51-49 split would be ideal, but the game and their performances will dictate how much each plays. Cochran, mullet haircut and all, has carried himself like a pro ever since he arrived in Storrs. Now he's worked on his body and his game like one. Whitmer has become more of a professional as well in accepting his role after being the starter two seasons ago and the starter last year for the first four games.

3. BYU junior quarterback Taysom Hill is one to watch, and we're not just talking about the fans and television cameras. A dual threat, he could be a real problem for the defense. He was just that for most teams last year, throwing for 2,900 yards and rushing for more than 1,300. He will be without two weapons in running back Jamal Davis and wide receiver Devon Blackmon, who have been suspended for violating team rules.

4. There's been a little bit made of UConn's playing a couple of true freshman guards in Ryan Crozier and Trey Rutherford. They're good, young players being put into a big spot. Again, how will they perform? The Huskies do have a depth issue up front that needs addressing. BYU will start a freshman in 6-7, 333-pound offensive tackle Ului Lapuaho, who is said to be an outstanding player, and guard Tuni Kanuch (6-3, 325) is said to be quite a physical player.

5. On offense, UConn starting quarterback Cochran (Monroe), running back Max DeLorenzo (Berlin) and tight end Sean McQuillan (Glastonbury) are all from Connecticut, as are backup fullback Matt Wash (Madison) and tight end Tommy Myers (Coventry). Linebacker Graham Stewart (Durham) and cornerback Byron Jones (New Britain) are the starters from the state on defense. Ends Kenton Adeyemi (Wethersfield) and Cole Ormsby (Windsor) cracked the two-deep for UConn.